Witnesses in Blanco murder surface

CEBU, Philippines — The two job order employees of Ronda who witnessed the killing of Mayor Mariano Blanco III have surfaced few days after they went missing.

Cebu Provincial Police Office (CCPO) director Senior Supt. Manuel Abrugena said they were able to trace the two in their respective houses far from the town proper. According to Abrugena, the police helped locate the job order employees after the new mayor, Rocky Gabatan, said that the witnesses to Blanco’s murder are missing.

“Immediately noong mabanggit nga po na nagsabi ang butihing mayor na nawawala, we immediately checked kung nasaan ang dalawa, fortunately itong dalawang job order witness natin ay umuwi lang sa kanilang bahay,” Abrugena said.

Abrugena said that the witnesses, whose names are withheld by the police for security reason, have already executed affidavits. He said they are also available for further questioning if necessary.

 “Itong dalawa ay so far cooperative naman and nag-assure tayo sa dalawa  na we will give them protection kahit ano mang threat na nalalaman nila, we assure na nanduon ang police to support them,” he said.

Abrugena is hopeful that the statements of the two witnesses will greatly help in the investigation into the murder of Blanco.

Blanco was shot dead dawn of September 5 by at least four unidentified gunmen inside his office. The mayor has been staying in his office for fear of his life after he was tagged by President Rodrigo Duterte as narcopolitician.

Abrugena, who heads the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Blanco, said they are looking at three possible motives— politics, illegal-drugs, and personal grudge—in the killing.

He said they now have persons of interest and expect to invite them soon.

“One of these days, kapag nakuha namin ang lahat ng information itong mga persons of interest, I will direct the chief of police to invite this person sa police station and mag-ask kami ng questions to clarify something,” he said. (FREEMAN)